U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Columbus port of entry recently intercepted a shipment of counterfeit goods valued at $168,037 in Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. The seized items totaled 1,816 and included brand name auto parts, consumer electronics, Harry Potter-themed merchandise, and card games.
The shipment originated from China and was destined for Mexico. It was intercepted on April 2 as an in-bond shipment. CBP collaborated with the trademark holder to verify the goods were counterfeit, leading to the seizure authorization on May 6.
Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations, explained the situation: “The in-bond process allows imported merchandise to be entered at one U.S. port of entry without appraisement or payment of duties and transported by a bonded carrier to another U.S. port of entry or other authorized destination provided all statutory and regulatory conditions are met. The CBP outbound exam of this shipment determined that those conditions were not met and the shipment was seized consequently.”
The confiscation was due to intellectual property rights violations under statutes including 19 USC 1526(e), 15 USC 1124, and 19CFR133.21. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
CBP advises consumers to remain cautious when shopping for discounts online as counterfeit products pose real dangers. They provide basic import information about admissibility requirements and encourage buyers to ensure their purchases comply with state and federal regulations.
Suspected violations related to intellectual property rights can be reported through various channels including the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by contacting the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is recognized as America's frontline law enforcement organization, comprising over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting national security through innovation and collaboration.
